I have a question about the use of ice in pt and rsd. I just came back from my umpinth trip from pt, I have a new therapist..I have pool pt and land...this was land pt, and she insisted on putting ice on my rsd ankle...I told her that you should not put ice on it, but she said that I have to desensitise my ankle to all things...so I submitted and on went the ice, it did not feel too good, but didnt kill me..lol...she said I must but confusing it raynaulds syndrome. I know what I have read and I am not confusing it...Any thoughts anyone???? Im rambling again and spelling badly...sorry
Jeannine

Hi Jeannine,

I always use ice. I am a Chiropractic care patient and I bought two large ice packs from him. I have been dealing with full body CRPS for 9 years. Ice helps me.

Take care,
Sherrie

Ice is generally a no go with RSD. If you have a PT that doesn't know that, IMHO, you need a new PT.

(Sherrie is an exception, she's had CRPS for 9 years and knows what works for her).

I think the liberal use of ice after my second shoulder surgery, combined with real aggressive PT who ignored my claims of pain, was the likely cause of my RSD.

Sandy

Thanks, thats what I thought...guess I will ask pm dr. on Wed to double check...
Jeannine

Using ice when you have "cold" rsd will only make things worse and the pain too. "Cold" rsd is only referring to the temp of the skin. In this kind of rsd the blood vessels are already constricted comprimising blood flow. The constriction is the reason our skin is cold and why it turns our skin different colors, ie purple, blue, pink.

When you put ice on "cold" rsd, it constricts the blood vessels even more which also cuts off even more circulation leading to higher pain, a worsening of rsd in that area and possible spread. This is the reason ice is a big NO for rsd. It does not help and ice has no place in desensitization. To desensitize skin, you start with very soft things and slowly, very slowly work toward using rougher feeling things.

When something is already cold, you don't add cold to it, you add HEAT!

With "hot" rsd, the skin being red and feeling warm or hot, these people usually use ice and it feels good. Ice for the heat. With "hot" rsd, using heat makes their pain go up and things worse for them. It's just that simple, Ice = Heat, Heat = Ice. :-D

Hugs,

Karen

i have rsd for 11yrs and cant tolerate ice period.. but i have both cold and hot rsd.. my arms will generally be the warm and hips down cold.. but i have always been told never ice period ..

carrie

I have both hot and cold RSD and I use ice on the areas that I know need the ice instead of the heat. Heat does make some areas worse for me. I use heating pads for other areas. I think it just depends on what each of us learn what we can stand.

Ada

That would be a huge no for me. I would be in a flare up for a long time. I know we are all different but what I do feel when a patient says no they should be listened to. The pt or who ever can explain why they feel that way but you should not feel pushed. I know it is hard when wanting relief but you only know your body. There are so many different ways to desensitize and to me ice is not the one. There are different textures and I did a sand therapy. I hope you feel better and get more direction

yes no means no period.. and i used other things for deseniting period..

My husband uses ice on his rsd knee.